IAF strikes Gazan tunnels in response to Kassam fire

IDF confirms airstrikes on smuggling tunnels in Gaza were in response to Kassam fire; additional rocket falls on western Negev after strike.

By YAAKOV KATZ, JPOST.COM STAFF
IDF IAF fighter jet airstrike air strike 311 (R) (photo credit: Ho New / Reuters)
IDF IAF fighter jet airstrike air strike 311 (R)
(photo credit: Ho New / Reuters)
The Israeli Air Force struck two smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip and and one tunnel used for terrorism in northern Gaza Wednesday night, in response to Kassam rocket fire earlier in the day, the IDF spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
The rocket fire continued after the airstrike, with a Kassam falling the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council area, causing no damage or injuries.
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The airstrikes came after a tense day between Israel and Palestinians. IDF soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man on Wednesday morning during an arrest raid in the West Bank city of Nablus.
On Wednesday afternoon, Army Radio reported that Palestinian terrorists launched rockets from Gaza into the western Negev, causing no damage or injuries.
The death of the Palestinian man in Nablus occurred as the IDF was carrying out arrests in the area. The IDF said that it shot the man's legs as he tried to escape the area where arrests were being carried out.
The man was wounded and evacuated by a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance.
The IDF said that seven other people were arrested during the operation.
Palestinian medical sources said that Ibrahim Sarhan, 22, was shot at least twice, once in each thigh, and was dead by the time he reached hospital. Sarhan had been on his way to dawn prayers when he was shot, his uncle, Ismail Sarhan, told Reuters.
The death of the Palestinian man came as tensions were running high for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which has announced its intention to unilaterally declare statehood in September at the United Nations General Assembly, amid concerns that the move will bring a new wave of violence to the West Bank.
Reuters contributed to this report.